Operation Giving Back, sponsored by the American College of Surgeons, provides a database of volunteer opportunities available to all fields of surgery, as well as providing resources for volunteer surgeons.

Volunteer Organizations

World Surgical Foundation, led by American pediatric surgeon Domingo Alvear, sponsors several trips each year to provide healthcare for the medically underserved around the world.

Health Volunteers Overseas is an American organization that sponsors trips to train and educate local health care providers in developing countries (adults and children, medical and surgical)

Infancia Sin Fronteras is a Spanish organization that assists in child health projects in developing countries around the world.

The World Organization of Pediatric Surgery for Emerging Countries (WOPSEC) is an Italian organization which performs volunteer work throughout the world.

IVUmed provides education to pediatric and adult urologists by organizing trips throughout the developing world.

Sick Kids No Boundaries is a program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where professionals deliver care and teach local surgeons, currently partnered with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.

IPSAC (International Pediatric Specialists Alliance for the Children on Vietnam) has formed a partnership with Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City to enhance pediatric surgical care through education and training of Vietnamese surgical colleagues.

Medical Equipment Donations

Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD) is dedicated to ensuring that quality medical products are delivered to under-served people and disaster victims; website includes a map showing details of donations around the world.

MedShare collects surplus medical supplies and equipment from hospitals, medical distribution companies, and individuals, and redistributes them to healthcare facilities in the developing world.

Loupes Around the World provides magnifying eyeglasses for surgeons who cannot otherwise afford them, by soliciting donations and by restoring old loupes that are no longer needed.

WHO Guidelines of Medical Supplies, is intended to enhance the quality and efficiency of medical equipment donations, as many supplies and drugs are not appropriate and ultimately need to be destroyed.

Education for Careers in Global Health

University of British Columbia Branch for International Surgery offers an online 12-week course entitled "Surgical Care in International Health," which teaches the various facets of the global burden of surgical disease.

A Global Surgery Fellowship is a one-year program offered through Children's Hospital Boston and Partners in Health, to train leaders who will promote surgical care, education, and research pertinent to global surgery.